Page 73 of Alpha Reid

A few skeptical brows raise in my direction, some murmurs arising in question. I rest my hands on my hips again, drawing a deep breath before continuing. “When we’re in battle, it’s not just going to be one on one, right? So if we’re only training one on one, we’re missing out on how to prepare for multiple opponents and maneuvers that can be used in those scenarios.”

The warriors on the team nod in understanding, giving me a little boost of confidence.

“Alright, go ahead and split up amongst yourselves,” I call out, clapping my hands together. “For each group, one of you will be on defense, two on offense, and rotate through those roles on your resets. Once everyone has a feel for things, we’ll go ahead and shift to wolf form to continue the same exercise.”

I’d venture to say that the team seems excited to take on this exercise as they split themselves up into groups and get started. Ordinarily, I’d be in there with them, but with the way the numbers pan out I happen to be left without a group to join. I walk around and observe them instead, finding things they can improve upon and suggesting techniques to do so. Surprisingly, everyone is really receptive- for once, I’m not feeling like the new girl or the outsider at squad training. I truly feel like a leader. Like I belong.

“Try to stay a little bit lower when you’re on the defensive end,” I suggest to Sutton, one of the girls on the team. “Make yourself a smaller target.” We’ve been at it for almost an hour at this point and I’m still observing the groupings and giving pointers where I can. Sutton looks over at me as she climbs up from the ground, dusting off her leggings.

“What if he comes from up high, though?” she counters, looking to the burly guy who just took her down.

“Then he won’t be able to land anything on you,” I say confidently, tossing her a wink. “He’s bigger, so you won’t get the jump on him while he’s on his feet. Take them out, then strike while he’s down.”

She nods in understanding, pointing to the other guy to get into position again. I stand back, folding my arms across my chest as I watch the trio reset. When they engage this time, Sutton takes my advice and gets lower- and it totally works. She throws an elbow to the guy’s stomach and he doubles over, unable to get a single blow in before Sutton takes out his feet with a sweep of her leg. The big guy lets out an ‘umph’ as his body hits the ground and Sutton looks over at me with a triumphant smile.

It feels pretty great. I guess this leader gig isn’t half bad, after all.

I give her a thumbs up and turn to head to observe another group when I catch a familiar scent on the breeze, looking around for the person I know it belongs to. A pair of blue eyes meet mine and my heart stutters in my chest like it always does when I see Reid after any time apart. How long has he been here watching me?

I make my way toward him, a smile tugging at my lips as I draw closer. I can’t help it- the way the guy looks at me makes me fucking giddy. His own grin widens, my cheeks heating in a blush in response.

“You’re a natural,” Reid comments, reaching out for me. His arm comes around my waist and he pulls me in roughly, every hard line of his body meeting mine. Then he looks down into my eyes, his lips a whisper from my own. “Hi.”

“Hi…” I breathe, and the word is barely out before his lips cover my own. My eyes slide closed as sparks ignite, butterflies taking flight in my belly as Reid’s mouth moves skillfully against mine. It’s just a quick kiss- too quick- and leaves me practically quivering for more when he pulls back with a satisfied smirk.

Reid releases my waist and I take a shaky step backwards, trying really hard to not turn into a puddle out here on the practice field.

“How’s it been going?” he asks, cool as a cucumber.

“Uh, good,” I reply, my voice breathy and my face hot. I reach up to fiddle with the end of one of my braided pigtails, drawing slow breaths to calm my racing heart and regain my composure.

Reid looks past me at our team members sparring, narrowing his eyes. “You split them in threes?”

I nod quickly. “Yeah. I know we did pairs yesterday, but I figured since we wouldn’t necessarily be one on one when we’re in battle, that…”

“Definitely,” he interjects, nodding enthusiastically. “Smart idea. We should do the same exercise in wolf form, too.” He looks past me again, out to the team.

I can’t help but grin. “Already all over it. I was gonna have them shift pretty soon and continue sparring in the same groups.”

Reid’s eyes come to mine, and holy hell, the intensity in his gaze is nearly enough to knock me off my feet. He reaches out to cup my face in a hand, his eyes not leaving mine. “You’re amazing,” he declares, his thumb stroking my cheek affectionately.

My cheeks grow hot again, my breath catching in my throat. What do I even say to that? Nobody has ever looked at me the way that Reid is right now; it’s enough to make me come undone.

“Looks like you’re going to have to help me lead the team from now on,” he states, his hand sliding from my face.

“W-what?” I stammer, flustered by both his declaration and the way he’s making my heart pound out of my chest right now. “Reid, you don’t have to…”

“We’re partners, right?” he counters, his lips pulling into that sexy half-smile that I’m so fond of. “So let’s do this together. You’ve got great ideas, and the team obviously responds well to you.”

“I…” my voice trails off as I fail to generate an excuse. I swallow hard, giving him a nod. “Sure, okay. If that’s what you want.”

Reid slides an arm around my shoulders, pulling me in. “Of course it is,” he murmurs, pressing a kiss to my temple. “Now go on, little wolf. Get back out there and keep doing your thing.”

“Okay,” I nod, a little more self-assured this time. I shrug his arm off of my shoulder, starting back toward the groups sparring. Before I can step away, though, Reid’s hand darts out to deliver a little swat to my ass and I yelp, furrowing my brow and shooting him a glance over my shoulder.

And the smile on his face, the look in his eyes? It’s everything.

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

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